HELP

Agh I knew it was too good to be true. I was knitting along happily on my Ariann yesterday, and I accidentally dropped a YO off the left needle, and it went down past the previous purl row. Now I've got 3 long strings just sitting there where a nice twist and hole should be. I've looked online and can't find any place that gives advice on what to do! I also studied it for about 45 minutes yesterday until I was seeing double, and can't see a way to fix it! Anyone have any links or techniques?

No I don't have long hair

I don't have long hair, but I did knit Calorimetry yesterday! I royally screwed it up too, but since it still wraps around my head that is just fine with me. I modified it to have another button so the long flappy end can secure to my head. Even though its not following the pattern to a T, I still like it a lot! I used that cashmere yarn I was trying to knit mittens with a while ago, so its nice and soft on my ears. Here is a little gallery. Click for big!

It was a fun fast knit, just enough to get the instant gratification bug outa my system. I haven't touched Ariann in a while, but I thought I would share a photo of what it looks like now.

Anniversary

Today is our 2 year wedding anniversary! We celebrated throughout the weekend, starting Friday with a good 'ole fashioned aurora hunt. Unfortunately we didn't catch anything. The main show was on Thursday, my birthday, which I spent sick. Here are some pictures from the night though. First one is just a sky shot of where the aurora should have been, second is just a road shot, and third is a gas station view.(click for big!)



Saturday we spent the day cleaning and then went out for the evening to a really great restaurant called Buona Terra. It was super tasty and nice. We meant to try to see the aurora again, but it was cloudy. I guess it never showed this south anyways after the 14th.
Sunday we spent at home. We exchanged cards and Mike got me a pearl necklace, which I've been wanting for a long time! I also made a nice pasta dinner and made the new no-knead bread recipe, which turned out fantastic! Here are some shots of the bready goodness.

After the 20 hour rising time.


2 hour rising time after shaped.


Something with a crust this fabulous came out of my oven!


Cripes look at those innards! Heavenly and scrumptious!

Ariann is going well! I don't have any pics of it yet, but I am at the increase section in the waist. I'm using some white cotton-ease, so I am excited about my button prospects!!
And to finish off, Slammer seemed to be in a Christmas mood this weekend, she kept snuggling with anything Christmas related!

Flu?

Ugh I've been sick the last few days with something, probably the flu. In between the many hours of sleep, I managed to get some pictures of my finished Coco bag. My biggest pride in this project is that there were no mistakes (at least that I know of) in my knitting, and also that I got the lining and button together in one 90 cent shirt from the thrift store! I had to reseam the lining because it was showing through, but here is what it looks like now:

Here is the total head-on shot. I made the handle out of 3 strands of yarn braided up. I wasn't too keen on the chain thing.


Shot of bag open. I am a terrible seamstress, so please hide your eyes away from the stitch marks holding the lining on. Note that the top inner edge of stitches on the knittted fabric look strange. The pattern said to end on row 8, but I think ending after rows 1 or 2 would make more sense. Good thing its on the inside.


Zoom of button against knitted fabric.


Badly colored shot of the bag being modeled. I stuffed the bag with a bunch of "feminine products" for bulk.


Button against lining fabric.


Needlepoint canvas, doubled up, used as lining. This made for a nice stiff liner, but still lending to flexibility.



Here is what the bag looked like before I decided to resew the lining. Am I glad I decided to redo it!



I got my hair cut again. Lately I've noticed I have not been able to use styling products in my hair, as it makes me break out in a rash. As of my last visit, I decided to give another product a try, one that is more on the "natural" side, and it still makes me break out! Does anyone else have this problem? If so, can you recommend products that work for you?

And now, on to Ariann. I'm using white cotton ease that I tried selling and, alas, could not. Hopefully it will turn out somewhat nice in that yarn.

I lied

I've been knitting apparently. I think I'm somewhat over the slump. I saw Arianne and decided I would love to knit that and bought it. I also got the Grannie Smith pattern from neoknits, which I have been wanting for a while.
I worked on Branching Out a week ago, and was loving that pattern. It's such a fun lace repeat. Unfortunately I was running out of yarn and in a predicament. Luckily, Karin suggested buying a pin and making it a short scarf with a fastener. Brilliant! Here are my results:



I used some Classic Elite LaGran that I had left over from a previous holiday scarf. Woo hoo destashing!
Besides that I have been working on Coco from Magknits. This is a fun pattern as well and I've been working with some Cascade Sierra yarn that Suzie gave me. The repeat pattern is a little strenuous on the wrists, but I've been taking a lot of breaks. As of now I'm at 11" (3 more inches to go) but here is a photo from a few days ago.

New dog coat

On Saturday I went to Joanns and found some remnant fleece that was pretty cheap. I decided it was time to try to sew a new dog sweater. Its pretty cute in person, though I realize the photos make her look like shes some sort of nun or nurse. At least its warm, which is what she needs in this 15 degree weather.


I basically made a little slip on hood so her leash could move freely. I added elastic at the front of the hood to keep it in place. I have to say it is working well. The body attaches under the belly and over the chest. I used some permanent glue velcro which is holding very well. I think in those spots where it hangs over, I will add some little spots of velcro, just for aesthetics. I also tried my hand at some blanket stitch which came out ok. The center of the coat had to be sewn up, which I did by hand with embroidery floss. Its simple, but I hope it keeps her warm and is somewhat cute!
Here are some photos of the details:




Here is what the sweater looks like layed out completely flat. Mike came up with the construction, so I have to give him credit!